By the Samos-Island.com editorial team · · How we work
Short answer
Three Samos boat trips meet our bar of at least 4.5 stars and 10 reviews: a private six-hour charter from Pythagoreio, an eight-hour barbecue trip to the islet of Samiopoula, and a six-hour east coast trip with lunch and drinks. Six other boat trips are shown for comparison only. The ranking method is explained below.
Boat trips are the most booked excursions on Samos, and they differ far more than their titles suggest. Some leave from Pythagoreio and head east to Kasonisi and the coves near Poseidonio, some go south to the islet of Samiopoula, and some leave from the jetty at Votsalakia for the west coast. They also differ in length, in what is included and in what you must hand over before you board.
This page ranks the boat trips that pass a published bar, then compares all nine we read side by side. We are an independent guide funded by affiliate links (GetYourGuide, marked as sponsored), and we have not taken these trips ourselves. Everything below comes from the listings and from public sources, and the editorial standards explain how we work.
Summarize this article with:
Which are the best boat trips in Samos?
Of the nine boat trips based on Samos that we read, three pass our bar. They are shown below in the order given by our scoring formula, which is computed from the data and explained in the next section. Each card summarises what the listing says, not what we experienced.
#1Samos: Private Boat Tours
- 4.80 (56 reviews)
- 6 hours
- From US$462 per group of up to 6
Ranking score 4.72: rating adjusted for the number of reviews.
Why it ranks here: A private charter for up to six people, so the route, the swim stops and the pace are set with the captain rather than by a group timetable. The listing names Kasonisi, Mourtia, Klima and Mikri Lakka on the east coast and adds drone photos, which suits a small party that wants time in the water.
Best for: Couples, families or friends travelling as one party who want their own schedule, including a birthday or a proposal.
Check availabilityWhat you get
- Captain and boat for a private group
- Snorkelling masks and snorkels
- Sea towels
- Water and soft drinks, fruit platter
- Music and drone photos
Keep in mind
- According to the listing, the trip does not take place in bad weather
- Priced per group of up to six, so the cost per person depends on how many of you share it
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before is stated on the listing: check it when you book
#2Samos: Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch to Samiopoula
- 4.74 (88 reviews)
- 8 hours
- From US$81 per person
Ranking score 4.70: rating adjusted for the number of reviews.
Why it ranks here: The longest of the three, built around a swim stop at the islet of Samiopoula and a barbecue lunch on Kakorema beach, on a traditional kaiki. Hotel pick-up and drinks are part of the listing, so it is a full day with little to organise.
Best for: Confident swimmers who want a whole day at sea with a cooked lunch and are not prone to seasickness.
Check availabilityWhat you get
- Boat trip in a traditional kaiki
- Barbecue lunch
- Drinks
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Swim stop at Samiopoula
Keep in mind
- Passenger details (full name, date of birth, nationality, passport or ID number) must be given before departure, because of port regulations
- Be at Pythagoreio port 30 minutes before departure
- Not suitable for people prone to seasickness
- The boat can carry up to 30 people; the listing's 1 to 8 participants is a booking quota, not the capacity
- Bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen
#3Samos: East Coast Boat Trip with Lunch and Drinks
- 4.77 (26 reviews)
- 6 hours
- From US$58 per person
Ranking score 4.65: rating adjusted for the number of reviews.
Why it ranks here: A shorter day on the traditional wooden boat Sea Spray along the east coast, with coves and beaches the listing describes as reachable only by boat, a stop at Kasonisi and time to swim. Lunch and drinks are listed as included, which keeps the day simple.
Best for: Travellers staying near Pythagoreio who want one relaxed group day on the water without a full eight hours.
Check availabilityWhat you get
- Cold lunch
- Beer, wine, water and other drinks
- Sea towels
- Sunscreen
- Swimming at Kasonisi and east coast coves
Keep in mind
- Not suitable for wheelchair users, non-swimmers, people prone to seasickness or babies under one year
- High heels and nudity are not allowed on board
- Bring a towel and beachwear
- Schedule and conditions can change with the weather: read the latest listing
Ratings, review counts and prices were read on 20 September 2026. They change, so check the live listing before booking.
How did we rank these boat trips?
We read the boat trips based on Samos that appear on the GetYourGuide Samos page on 20 September 2026. A trip is ranked only if it is rated at least 4.5 out of 5 and has at least 10 reviews, because a perfect score on three reviews is not evidence. Ranked trips are ordered by a Bayesian average, which pulls a rating towards 4.5 until enough reviews have accumulated: 20 reviews is the point where a trip's own rating counts as much as that starting value.
The formula is score = (v × R + 20 × 4.5) / (v + 20), with R the rating and v the number of reviews. A 5.0 rating on 3 reviews gives about 4.57, while 4.74 on 88 reviews gives about 4.70, so the larger sample wins. The card order, rating, review count and price on this page are calculated from the data and cannot drift from it.
The ranking does not measure the quality of the trip itself (we have not taken them), the weather on your day, the season, or whether reviews are recent. Read the latest reviews on the listing. Ratings change, and nobody pays for a position: links are affiliate links, which earn us a commission on a booking at no extra cost to you.
Which boat trip goes where?
The table groups all nine boat trips by coast: east, then south, then west. Only the trips that meet the bar are ranked above. The others stay here, flagged in the last data column, so you can see what they offer and why they are not ranked.
| Tour | Rating | Reviews | Duration | Price | Meets our bar | Departure | Main stops | Food and drinks (listing) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samos: Private Boat Tours | 4.80 | 56 | 6 hours | US$462 per group of up to 6 | Yes | Pythagoreio, private boat | Kasonisi, Mourtia, Klima, Mikri Lakka | Water and soft drinks, fruit platter |
| Samos: East Coast Boat Trip with Lunch and Drinks | 4.77 | 26 | 6 hours | US$58 per person | Yes | Pythagoreio, boat Sea Spray | East coast coves and beaches reachable only by boat, Kasonisi | Cold lunch, beer, wine, water, drinks |
| Samos East Coast by Boat with Beachside BBQ | 4.15 | 35 | 7 hours | US$63 per person | No | In front of the harbour master's office, Pythagoreio, caique Archangelos | Mykali Strait views towards Turkey, swim at Posidonio, passing Kasonisi, beach at Megali Lakka | Beach barbecue; drinks not stated in the listing |
| Samos: Half-Day Kasonisi Boat Trip (and bus transfer) | 4.34 | 26 | 5 hours | US$57 per person | No | Pythagoreio port, boat Georgios; hotel transfer from Kokkari, Samos or Pythagoreio | Kasonisi | Meal included; bottled drinks and cash advised |
| Samos: Megali Lakka Cruise with Lunch and Drinks | 5.00 | 3 | 8 hours | US$63 per person | No | Listed as Anthagorio; runs five days a week, 9:30 to 17:30 | Poseidonion bay, private beach with sunbeds and parasols | Steak or fish fillet lunch, a glass of wine on return, snorkelling gear |
| Samos: Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch to Samiopoula | 4.74 | 88 | 8 hours | US$81 per person | Yes | Pythagoreio port, traditional kaiki; hotel pick-up | Samiopoula swim stop, barbecue on Kakorema beach | Barbecue lunch and drinks |
| Samos: Full-Day Boat Cruise with Lunch (and bus transfer) | 4.37 | 210 | 8 hours | US$69 per person | No | Pythagoreio, 9:30, small fishing boat; hotel transfer from Kokkari, Samos or Pythagoreio | Samiopoula and the south coast | Fish or meat barbecue, drinks; bring cash |
| Votsalakia Samos: Samiopoula Boat Cruise with Lunch | 4.33 | 46 | 8 hours | US$63 per person | No | Votsalakia jetty, boat Cleopatra; transfer not included | Samiopoula | Fish or souvlaki lunch; cash advised |
| Votsalakia Samos: West Coast Boat Cruise with Lunch | 4.37 | 71 | 4 hours | US$45 per person | No | Votsalakia jetty in front of the hotel, boat Cleopatra; the listing mentions both hotel pick-up and no transfer, so confirm | West coast, Limnionas sea cave, Mount Kerkis as backdrop | Sandwich; Wi-Fi on board |
Rows marked No are shown for comparison only and are not ranked: either the rating is below 4.5 or there are fewer than 10 reviews. Departure and stops are as written on each listing, including its spelling of place names.
Ratings, review counts and prices were read on 20 September 2026. They change, so check the live listing before booking.
East, south or west coast: what is the difference?
East. Pythagoreio is on the south-east coast, where the Mykali Strait separates Samos from the Turkish mainland by only 1.6 kilometres at its narrowest. East coast trips (the private charter, Sea Spray, and the Archangelos and Georgios trips) stay near this shore: Kasonisi, the coves around Poseidonio, and the beaches of Mikri Lakka and Megali Lakka, which Wikivoyage describes as reachable on foot or by boat. See our Kasonisi islet guide and the Pythagoreio guide.
South. The islet of Samiopoula lies off the south coast, according to Wikipedia at a distance of about 0.85 kilometres. The trips that go there are the barbecue trip from Pythagoreio and the full-day cruise, and they last most of a day. Wikivoyage also lists daily excursions from Pythagoreio to Samiopoula.
West. Two trips leave from the jetty at Votsalakia, in the Marathokampos area, and head along the west coast, one of them to the sea cave at Limnionas with Mount Kerkis (1,434 metres, the highest point of the island) as a backdrop. They only make sense if you are staying on that side: see Marathokampos and Votsalakia and Mount Kerkis.
If you have not chosen a base yet, where to stay matters: a boat trip that starts at your door saves an early drive across a mountainous island.
Kasonisi or Samiopoula: which islet should you choose?
Most boat trips are built around one of these two islets. The table compares them using what the listings and public sources say, without preferring either.
| Criterion | Kasonisi | Samiopoula |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Islet off the Pythagoreio side of the south-east coast | Islet off the south coast of Samos, about 0.85 km away according to Wikipedia |
| Usual departure | Pythagoreio port | Pythagoreio port or the Votsalakia jetty |
| Typical trip in our data | Half-day to six-hour trips, often combined with east coast coves | Long trips of about eight hours with a lunch |
| What the listings promise | Swimming and snorkelling in clear water, coves reached by boat | Swim stop at the islet, barbecue lunch on Kakorema beach or a fish or souvlaki lunch |
| Facilities | None expected: bring your own shade (see the Kasonisi guide) | Check the listing for what is available on the day |
| Better if | You want a shorter day near Pythagoreio | You want a full day with lunch and a longer sail |
Details vary by operator and by day. Confirm stops and meals on the listing before you book.
Private charter or shared boat?
A private charter usually pays off when you can fill it, because the price is per boat rather than per seat. For one or two people, a shared trip is normally the cheaper way to see the same coast.
| Criterion | Private charter | Shared group boat |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Up to 6 people | Varies: one listing states the boat carries up to 30 people |
| Price basis | Per group | Per person |
| Route | Kasonisi, Mourtia, Klima and Mikri Lakka named on the listing; agreed with the captain | Fixed route and timetable set by the operator |
| Extras on the listing | Snorkelling gear, fruit platter, drone photos, music, special occasions | Lunch and drinks, sometimes a hotel transfer |
| Weather | The listing says the trip does not take place in bad weather | Sea conditions can change the trip: one listing says it depends on sea and weather |
| Better for | A party of four to six that wants its own pace | Couples and solo travellers who want a lower cost per head |
Costs are shown in the price column of the comparison table above, so they cannot contradict the listing.
How do wind and sea state affect boat trips?
The Aegean summer is dominated by the meltemi, the northerly Etesian wind. Wikipedia describes it as blowing from about mid-May to mid-September, usually strongest in the afternoon, and capable of reaching force 7 to 8 on the Beaufort scale. It can persist for days, and most inter-island ferries cannot run safely in such conditions. Wikivoyage notes that northerly winds raise high waves on exposed beaches such as Kokkari and Tsamadou.
For boat trips, the practical consequences are: a trip can be changed or cancelled by the operator, the private charter listing says it does not run in bad weather, and one west coast listing says it depends on sea and weather. Read the cancellation and rescheduling terms on the listing, allow a spare day, and do not book a boat trip on the day you fly home. See best time to visit for the seasons.
Every listing we read says free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start and lets you pay later. These are the listings' own terms: check them on the day you book.
Do you need ID on a boat trip in Samos?
Two listings mention documents. The barbecue trip to Samiopoula asks for each passenger's full name, date of birth, nationality and passport or identity card number before departure, because of port regulations. The east coast trip with a beach barbecue on the caique Archangelos asks you to bring a passport or identity card and to provide passenger details before departure.
We do not know the rule for every operator, so we do not state one. Carry your passport or national identity card on any boat departure, and check the requirements with the operator and the port authorities. Entry rules for your nationality are covered in getting there.
Who should skip a boat trip, or choose carefully?
- People prone to seasickness: the listings for the barbecue trip, the east coast trip with lunch and drinks and the Megali Lakka cruise say they are not suitable.
- Non-swimmers: the east coast trip with lunch and drinks and the full-day cruise are marked as not suitable for non-swimmers.
- Reduced mobility and wheelchair users: the east coast trip with lunch and drinks lists wheelchair users as not suitable, and the full-day cruise lists reduced mobility.
- Babies: the east coast trip with lunch and drinks is not suitable for babies under one year.
- Anyone who wants a relaxed pace: the eight-hour trips are long days in the sun; the six-hour and half-day trips are shorter.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the children. The private charter for up to six lets you set the pace, while the east coast trip with lunch and drinks lists babies under one year, non-swimmers and people prone to seasickness as unsuitable. Check each listing's age and swimming conditions before you book.
Not always, but most trips are built around swim stops. The east coast trip with lunch and drinks and the full-day cruise list non-swimmers as not suitable, so check the listing of the trip you choose.
In the listings we read, they range from four hours (west coast cruise from Votsalakia) to eight hours (Samiopoula trips). The private charter and the east coast trip with lunch and drinks last six hours; the table above lists every duration.
A private charter for up to six suits a party that wants its own route and pace and can share the cost, since it is priced per group. A shared boat is priced per person and usually costs less for one or two travellers.
On most trips we read, yes: barbecue, cold lunch, a sandwich or a fish or souvlaki meal are listed, but the private charter lists a fruit platter and drinks instead of a meal. Check the listing for what your trip includes and whether you should bring cash.
Some listings require passenger details before departure (full name, date of birth, nationality, passport or ID number), and one asks you to bring a passport or ID card. Carry your document and confirm the requirement with the operator.
Do not count on it. The private charter listing says it does not take place in bad weather, and a west coast listing says it depends on sea and weather. The summer meltemi wind can be strong, so keep a spare day.
Sources and further reading
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